Beta 20 or Yanmar 3YM20 in Greece

[tchierici]

I am torn between replacing my old MD7a engine and saildrive with either a Beta sd20 or a yanmar 3YM20. The boat is in Greece and my mechanic has recommended in installing the Yanmar for a couple of reasons, the Yanmar is not marinarised and parts are easy to find in Greece whereas the Beta is a tractors engine adapted for marine use and also parts are expensive and hard to find in Greece. Can anyone tell me how easy it is to find beta or kubota parts in Greece?
What’s people’s experience of long term corrosion on the beta? I am also concerned that the Greek mechanics don’t really know these engines and doing any work to them is a bit risky. There are thousands of Yanmar engines in Greece.

 

[vas]

I'm afraid I cannot help on beta kubota (although I think kubota is generally used around here) but for sure you can find yanmar parts (either original or third party) easily having rebuilt the 2gmf on my generator last spring.
I fear that it has to do with what each mechanic is experienced/happy to work with! My mechanic in Volos fe, is rebuilding practically anything and is happy to work on kubotas, volvos, ivecos, westerbeke (sp?), you name it... Having said that, I occasionally see one engine in pieces in a bench waiting for spares for a month or two but never bothered checking what these are.
I'm going to visit him tomorrow, will try and remember to ask him about that

cheers

V.

 

[Davy_S]

I can only speak for Kefalonia, but at Argostoli there is a Kubota tractor place, they sell all spares.

 

[BabaYaga]

I replaced my MD7A with a 20 hp Beta in 2006. Not in Greece, which I know nothing about, but in Sweden. Still I faced a kind of similar choice, as Beta was (and is) not a well known engine manufacturer here and spare parts are not widely available in chandlers etc – unlike Volvo and Yanmar.
One consequence of such a choice is that you must maintain your own stock of the most common spare parts, such as filters, anodes, belts, impellers, o-rings etc. This is not difficult these days when everything is available on line, but requires some planning.
Also worth pointing out that the bulk of spare parts that you are likely to need during the first 15 - 20 years will be specific to Beta's marination (?), not to Kubota's base engine (unless you are very unlucky).

 

[vyv_cox]

What parts are you expecting to need? My Yanmar 3GM30F has done 2700 hours. Other than consumable parts it has has only needed one exhaust elbow and a water pump. All available widely in Greece.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

I'd have thought that the chances of parts being more expensice than Yanmar is vanishingly small.
I also understand that Beta consumables are all standard automotive ones and you aren't going to be robbed for special Yanmar-only belts etc.
Kubota parts are universal the world over, surely?

 

[Hydrozoan]

… Also worth pointing out that the bulk of spare parts that you are likely to need during the first 15 - 20 years will be specific to Beta's marination (?), not to Kubota's base engine (unless you are very unlucky).

And longer, if my 25 year old Beta is anything to go by - and I'd bet there will be people here with older ones which have not required base engine parts.

 

[Cspirit]

And longer, if my 25 year old Beta is anything to go by - and I'd bet there will be people here with older ones which have not required base engine parts.

I have a Beta 38 and the boat is in Samos,Greece. The engine is fabulous, quiet and reliable and spares insofar as I’ve needed any have been no problem. I always keep consumables- filters etc - on board and bring them out to the boat in hand or hold luggage. You won’t regret buying a Beta - it’s just a marinised Kubota so spares widely available.